Ergonomic Water Paddle for Watercraft

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic water paddle for a watercraft includes left-hand and right-hand arms, a cross piece, and left and right paddle bodies. The left-hand arm extends lengthwise to terminate at left front and rear ends. The right-hand arm extends lengthwise to terminate at right front and rear ends. The left paddle body is connected to the left rear end. The right paddle body is connected to the right rear end. The cross piece is disposed to connect the left front end to the right front end to permit the left and right paddle bodies to be moved synchronously with each other in each paddling stroke.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Taiwanese application no. 104200280, filed on Jan. 8, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a water paddle, more particularly to an ergonomic water paddle for a watercraft.

BACKGROUND

A conventional double bladed paddle may include an elongated shaft and left and right blades on opposite left and right ends of the elongated shaft. A paddler can use the double bladed paddle to propel a watercraft, such as a canoe, by inserting the left blade and then the right blade into water in an alternating fashion.

SUMMARY

An object of the disclosure is to provide a novel ergonomic water paddle for a watercraft, which includes left and right paddle bodies that can be moved synchronously with each other in each paddling stroke.

According to the disclosure, an ergonomic water paddle for a watercraft includes left-hand and right-hand arms, left and right peddle bodies, and a cross piece. The left-hand arm extends lengthwise to terminate at left front and rear ends. The right-hand arm extends lengthwise to terminate at right front and rear ends. The left paddle body is connected to the left rear end. The right paddle body is connected to the right rear end. The cross piece connects the left front end and the right front end to permit the left and right paddle bodies to be moved synchronously with each other in each paddling stroke.

DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an ergonomic water paddle according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ergonomic water paddle of the first embodiment in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ergonomic water paddle shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the ergonomic water paddle shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the ergonomic water paddle of the first embodiment in use;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an ergonomic water paddle according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the ergonomic water paddle shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an ergonomic water paddle according to a third embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the ergonomic water paddle shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an ergonomic water paddle according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the ergonomic water paddle of the fourth embodiment in an assembled state;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a paddle body of an ergonomic water paddle according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the paddle body shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14 but with the paddle body in a folded position; and

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 14 but with an adjustable spacer in an engageable position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an ergonomic water paddle for a watercraft, e.g., a canoe, according to a first embodiment of this disclosure includes a main shaft body 1 and left and right paddle bodies 31, 32.

The main shaft body 1 has left-hand and right-hand arms 12, 13, and a cross piece 11. The left-hand arm 12 extends lengthwise to terminate at left front and rear ends 121, 122. The right-hand arm 13 extends lengthwise to terminate at right front and rear ends 131, 132. The left paddle body 31 is connected to the left rear end 122, and the right paddle body 32 is connected to the right rear end 132. The cross piece 11 connects the left front end 121 and the right front end 131 to permit the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 to be moved synchronously with each other in each paddling stroke.

The left-hand arm 12 has a left intermediate segment 123 between the left front and rear ends 121, 122. The right-hand arm 13 has a right intermediate segment 133 between the right front and rear ends 131, 132. The left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 are spaced apart from each other in a left-and-right direction (X) (see FIG. 2) to permit the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 to be gripped ergonomically. The left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 are convergent toward the cross piece 11.

In this embodiment, the left-hand and right-hand arms 12, 13 are symmetrical relative to each other, and are integrally formed with the cross piece 11. The cross piece 11 has a central region 110 which is curved forwardly. As shown in FIG. 3, a view of the ergonomic water paddle from the left side, the left intermediate segment 123 (as well as the right intermediate segment 133) has an arcuate shape.

The left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 are detachably connected to the left and right rear ends 122, 132, respectively, to facilitate carrying. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the left and right rear ends 122, 132 has a socket cavity 101 extending lengthwise, and each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 has a blade 301 and a shaft 302 extending from the blade 301 to terminate at a plug end 303 which is configured to be fitted in the socket cavity 101 of a corresponding one of the left and right rear ends 122, 132. Specifically, the left and right rear ends 122, 132 has an outer end surface 102 and a retaining hole 103 which extends radially from the outer end surface 102 to the socket cavity 101, and each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 further has a spring-loaded pin 304 disposed in the plug end 303 and configured to be snapped into the retaining hole 103 of the corresponding one of the left and right rear ends 122, 132 once the plug end 303 is fitted into the socket cavity 101 of the corresponding one of the left and right rear ends 122, 132.

In other embodiments (not shown), the ergonomic water paddle may have two left paddle bodies and two right paddle bodies, and each of the left and right rear ends has two socket cavities for receiving, respectively, the plug ends of the respective ones of the left and right paddle bodies.

In this embodiment, the ergonomic water paddle further includes a reinforcement member 2 which has a bracing segment 21 and left and right holding rod segments 22, 23. The bracing segment 21 extends in the left-and-right direction (X) to terminate at left and right connecting ends 211, 212 which are respectively connected to the left and right front ends 121, 131 so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the left and right front ends 121, 131 for accommodating an upper part of a paddler's body (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The left and right holding rod segments 22, 23 extend respectively from the left and right connecting ends 211, 212 to the left and right rear ends 122, 132, respectively, and are disposed outwardly of the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133. With the provision of the left and right holding rod segments 22, 23, the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 can be maintained in their arc shape and prevented from deformation.

In this embodiment, the bracing segment 21 and the left and right holding rod segments 22, 23 are integrally formed in one-piece, and the reinforcement member 2 is arc-shaped. The reinforcement member 2 may be connected to the main shaft body 1 by welding or screw connection.

The main shaft body 1, the reinforcement member 2, and the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 may be made of a light-weight, high strength flexible material, such as aluminum alloy, aluminum-magnesium alloy, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, carbon fiber, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in use, a paddler may sit between the left-hand and right-hand arms 12, 13 (only the left-hand arm 12 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) and grip the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 with his/her left and right hands, respectively. Alternatively, the paddler may stand between the left-hand and right-hand arms 12, 13. By moving the ergonomic water paddle between an upper position (FIG. 5) and a lower position (FIG. 6) in each paddle stroke, the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 can be moved synchronously to propel the watercraft.

Since the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 are arc-shaped, they can be gripped ergonomically by paddlers having different heights or different forearm lengths.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an ergonomic water paddle according to a second embodiment of this disclosure. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the cross piece 11 and the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 are not in the same plane, while, in the second embodiment, the cross piece 11 and the left and right intermediate segments 123, 133 are in the same plane.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an ergonomic water paddle according to a third embodiment of this disclosure. The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that, in the third embodiment, the cross piece 11 and the left-hand and right-hand arms 12, 13 are in the same plane.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an ergonomic water paddle according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure. The fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that, in the fourth embodiment, the shaft 302 has front and rear segments 305, 306 which are telescopically connected to each other. The rear segment 306 is connected to the blade 301 and has a tubular end region 308 distal from the blade 301. The front segment 305 has the plug end 303 and a connected end region 307 which is distal from the plug end 303, and which is slidably fitted into the tubular end region 308 so as to permit telescopic connection between the connected end region 307 and the tubular end region 308. The tubular end region 308 has a plurality of through holes 309 that are linearly displaced from each other. The connected end region 307 has a spring-loaded ball 300 configured to be snapped into a selected one of the through holes 309 so as to adjust the length of the shaft 302. Therefore, the length of the shaft 302 can be increased to allow a paddler to propel the watercraft in a standing posture.

FIGS. 13 to 16 show one of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 of an ergonomic water paddle according to a fifth embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the blade 301 of each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 includes two blade halves 3011, and each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 further has an adjustable spacer 34 and an extension 35.

The extension 35 extends from the shaft 302. The two blade halves 3011 of each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 are hingedly mounted to the extension 35 using two hinge members 33 so as to be displaceable between an unfolded position, where the two blade halves 3011 have a maximized propelling force (FIGS. 13 and 14), and a folded position, where the two blade halves 3011 have a minimized propelling force (FIG. 15). In this embodiment, when the two blade halves 3011 are in the unfolded position, rearward surfaces 3013 of the two blade halves 3011 are substantially in the same plane (an angle between the rear surfaces 3013 of the two blade halves 3011 is about 180°). When the two blade halves 3011 are in the folded position, the rearward surfaces 3013 of the two blade halves 3011 are parallel to each other.

The adjustable spacer 34 is disposed to be swivelable relative to the extension 35 and between an engageable position where the adjustable spacer 34 limits the extent of movement of the two blade halves 3011 toward the folded position (FIG. 16), and a disengageable position (FIGS. 13 and 14). In this embodiment, when the adjustable spacer 34 is in the engageable position (FIG. 16), the angle between the rear surfaces 3013 of the two blade halves 3011 may range from 180° to about 90°.

When the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 are moved rearward (i.e., the ergonomic water paddle is moved from the upper position (FIG. 5) to the lower position (FIG. 6)), the two blade halves 3011 of the blade 301 of each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 are in the unfolded position to push water (FIGS. 13 and 14). In this case, the rearward surfaces 3013 of the two blade halves 3011 are used to push water to propel the watercraft forward. When the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 are moved forward (i.e., the ergonomic water paddle is moved from the lower position (FIG. 6) to the upper position (FIG. 5)), the two blade halves 3011 of the blade 301 of each of the left and right paddle bodies 31, 32 are in the folded position for reducing water resistance on the blade 301 (FIG. 15). In this case, forward surfaces 3012 of the two blade halves 3011 are prevented from propelling the watercraft rearward.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An ergonomic water paddle for a watercraft, comprising: a left-hand arm extending lengthwise to terminate at left front and rear ends; a right-hand arm extending lengthwise to terminate at right front and rear ends; a left paddle body connected to said left rear end; a right paddle body connected to said right rear end; and a cross piece connecting said left front end and said right front end to permit said left and right paddle bodies to be moved synchronously with each other in each paddling stroke.
 2. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 1, wherein said left-hand arm has a left intermediate segment between said left front and rear ends, and said right-hand arm has a right intermediate segment between said right front and rear ends, said left and right intermediate segments being spaced apart from each other in a left-and-right direction so as to permit said left and right intermediate segments to be gripped ergonomically.
 3. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 1, wherein said cross piece has a central region which is curved forwardly.
 4. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 2, wherein said left and right intermediate segments are convergent toward cross piece.
 5. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 1, wherein said left and right paddle bodies are detachably connected to said left and right rear ends, respectively.
 6. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 5, wherein each of said left and right rear ends has a socket cavity extending lengthwise, and each of said left and right paddle bodies has a blade and a shaft extending from said blade to terminate at a plug end which is configured to be fitted in said socket cavity of a corresponding one of said left and right rear ends.
 7. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 6, wherein each of said left and right rear ends has an outer end surface and a retaining hole which extends radially from said outer end surface to said socket cavity, and each of said left and right paddle bodies further has a spring-loaded pin disposed in said plug end and configured to be snapped into said retaining hole of the corresponding one of said left and right rear ends once said plug end is fitted into said socket cavity of the corresponding one of said left and right rear ends.
 8. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 6, wherein said shaft has front and rear segments which are telescopically connected to each other.
 9. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 8, wherein said rear segment has a tubular end region distal from said blade, and said front segment has a connected end region which is distal from said plug end, and which is slidably fitted into said tubular end region so as to permit telescopic connection between said connected end region and said tubular end region.
 10. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 9, wherein said tubular end region has a plurality of through holes that are linearly displaced from each other, and said connected end region has a spring-loaded ball configured to be snapped into a selected one of said through holes so as to adjust the length of said shaft.
 11. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 2, further comprising a reinforcement member having a bracing segment extending in the left-and-right direction to terminate at left and right connecting ends which are respectively connected to said left and right front ends so as to maintain a predetermined distance between said left and right front ends, and left and right holding rod segments which extend respectively from said left and right connecting ends to said left and right rear ends, respectively, and which are disposed outwardly of said left and right intermediate segments.
 12. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 6, wherein each of said left and right paddle bodies further has an extension extending from said shaft, and said blade includes two blade halves hingedly mounted to said extension so as to be displaceable between an unfolded position, where said two blade halves have a maximized propelling force, and a folded position, where said two blade halves have a minimized propelling force.
 13. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 12, wherein each of said left and right paddle bodies further has an adjustable spacer which is disposed to be swivelable relative to said extension and between an engageable position where said adjustable spacer limits extent of movement of said two blade halves toward the folded position, and a disengageable position.
 14. The ergonomic water paddle according to claim 2, wherein each of said left and right intermediate segments has an arcuate shape. 